What are the symptoms of asthma & wheezing in children?
Wheezing is a high-pitched musical or whistling sound produced during breathing, most noticeable when breathing out.
- Whistling or squeaking sound when breathing out (wheeze)
- Persistent dry cough, especially at night or early morning
- Fast breathing or shortness of breath during playtime
- Tightness or discomfort in the chest reported by older children
- Cough triggered by laughter, running, cold drinks, or smoke
- Tiredness from poor sleep caused by nighttime coughing
Warning signs: go to hospital at once
These indicate severe respiratory distress requiring immediate emergency room care.
- Skin pulling in deeply between ribs, above collarbone, or under ribcage (retractions)
- Child struggling to breathe and cannot speak a full sentence
- Grunting with breathing or flared nostrils
- Blue or grayish color around lips, tongue, or nail beds
- Extreme drowsiness, confusion, or exhaustion from breathing effort
Call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department.
The 3 phases of asthma & wheezing in children
Early flare-up
Occasional cough and mild wheeze. Child is active and feeding well. Responds to reliver inhaler/nebuliser.
Active wheeze
Continuous wheezing, fast breathing, nighttime waking. Requires nebulisation and doctor review.
Acute distress
Chest indrawing, difficulty speaking, low oxygen. Requires emergency nebulisation, steroids, and oxygen.
Which test shows asthma & wheezing in children?
Clinical examination with stethoscope is primary; diagnostic tests rule out complications.
| Test | Best time | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous Pulse Oximetry (SpO2) | Immediate | Accurately measures blood oxygen saturation percentage |
| Clinical Stethoscope Chest Examination | Every visit | Evaluates air entry, bilateral wheezing, and crackles |
| Chest X-Ray | If pneumonia or foreign body is suspected | Rules out lung infection, collapsed lung, or inhaled object |
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Absolute Eosinophil Count | During review | Identifies allergic diathesis or bacterial superinfection |
How is asthma & wheezing in children treated?
Treatment involves prompt bronchodilator nebulisation to open airways during attacks, followed by preventive inhalers with spacer devices to stop future attacks.
At Nareddy Care
- Immediate nebulisation with medical bronchodilators in our day-care unit
- Paediatrician evaluation of chest and breathing mechanics
- Hands-on demonstration of inhalers and spacer devices for parents
- Personalized written Asthma Action Plan
- Open until 10 pm for evening wheezing flare-ups
Do at home
- Use prescribed inhaler with spacer exactly as demonstrated by Dr. Bramhini
- Keep child calm and seated upright during an episode
- Keep bedrooms free from dust, incense smoke, mosquito coils, and strong room sprays
- Ensure child receives annual influenza and routine pneumococcal vaccinations
Avoid
- Relying on cough syrups, which do not open constricted airways during asthma attacks
- Using oral steroid tablets or injections without doctor supervision
- Stopping preventive controller inhalers as soon as the child stops wheezing
- Exposing the child to secondhand cigarette or beedi smoke
How to prevent asthma & wheezing in children
Daily preventive controller inhalers as advised, identifying and avoiding dust mite and pollen triggers, and treating common colds promptly before they trigger wheezing.
Questions people ask
Are inhalers safe and habit-forming for young children?
Inhalers are completely safe and NOT habit-forming. They deliver micro-doses of medicine directly to the lungs with minimal absorption into the rest of the body, unlike oral syrups or injections.
Does every child who wheezes have permanent asthma?
No. Many infants and toddlers have 'viral-induced wheeze' associated only with common colds, which they often outgrow by age 5 to 6 years.
Can my child get nebulised at Nareddy Care in the evening?
Yes. Our day-care facility has medical nebulisers and oxygen support, open daily until 10 pm.
Adults seeDr. Vishnu Anjan NareddyMD (General Medicine)Children seeDr. Bramhini NareddyMD (Paediatrics)